Build a Business-Aligned IT Strategy

Success depends on IT initiatives clearly aligned to business goals.

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Contributors

Luis Ramón Ramos Espinoza, Chief Information Officer, Suramericana
Kyle Saverance, Chief Information Officer, Coker College
Scott Ross, SVP Omni-Channel Technologies, Lowe’s Companies
Max Min, Director, Waterloo City Centre
Philip D’Aurelio, Development Solutions Supervisor, City of Hamilton
Michael Dieckmann, Chief Operating Offier, Florida Virtual Campus
Joe Evers, Consulting Principal, JcEvers Consulting Corporation
Ken Piddington, Chief Information Officer, MRE Consulting
2 anonymous contributors

Your Challenge

Two of the top three expectations for CIOs are to align to business strategy and to transform business processes.
IT does not do a good job aligning to business goals, with 47% of business leaders feeling that their goals are unsupported by IT.
Most IT departments lack the skill to develop a strategic plan for IT: a staggering 84% of IT departments surveyed claim their IT strategies are less than adequate.

Our Advice

Critical Insight

Everything IT does should support the business. A list of projects is not a strategic plan. A good strategy clearly links IT initiatives to business goals.
Business stakeholders cannot translate how IT initiatives will help achieve their objectives. IT needs to provide a concise way for stakeholders to digest how IT initiatives are supporting the organization.
A well-crafted IT strategy is critical to enhancing business stakeholder satisfaction and building relationships with business stakeholders.

Impact and Result

Derive the IT strategy based on the business context. Use Info-Tech’s implications framework to discern IT implications from the business context.
Clearly communicate to business executives how IT will support the organization’s key objectives and initiatives using the Executive Presentation Template.
Use Info-Tech’s prioritization matrix to help make project decisions in a holistic manner that allows for the selection of the most valuable initiatives to become part of the IT strategic roadmap.
Demonstrate to business executives and the IT organization how the IT strategy was created using Info-Tech’s IT Strategy Template.

Start here – read the Executive Brief

Read our concise Executive Brief to find out why you should create a visual IT strategy, review Info-Tech’s methodology, and understand the four ways we can support you in completing this project.

Build a Business-Aligned IT Strategy – Executive Brief

1. Identify the target state

Identify the IT organization's target state using the business context to ensure IT supports business needs.

2. Assess the current state

Conduct an assessment of the IT organization's current state to understand where IT currently stands.

3. Bridge the gap and create the strategy

Analyze the difference between the current state and the target state on a capability perspective, then brainstorm initiatives to bridge the gap and secure approval for the IT strategy.

Guided Implementations

This guided implementation is a six call advisory process.

Guided Implementation #1 - Identify the target state

Call #1 - Identify the business context status and IT implications.

Call #2 - Create components of the IT target state.

Guided Implementation #2 - Assess the current state

Call #1 - Assess current IT capabilities and budget.

Call #2 - Examine additional factors impacting IT and identify the current IT maturity.

Guided Implementation #3 - Bridge the gap and create the strategy

Call #1 - Assess the gaps between the current and target states.

Call #2 - Work toward IT strategy approval.

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IT Strategy

Develop a data-driven, fit-for-purpose plan with a strong link to execution.
This course makes up part of the Strategy & Governance Certificate.

Course information:

Title: IT Strategy
Number of Course Modules: 4
Estimated Time to Complete: 2-3 hours
Featured Analysts:
Andy Liu, Associate Executive Advisor
David Glazer, Practice Lead, CIO Practice
Now Playing: Academy: IT Strategy | Executive Brief

Book Your Workshop

Onsite workshops offer an easy way to accelerate your project. If you are unable to do the project yourself, and a Guided Implementation isn't enough, we offer low-cost onsite delivery of our project workshops. We take you through every phase of your project and ensure that you have a roadmap in place to complete your project successfully.

Module 1: Identify IT Implications and Strategy Scope

The Purpose

Conduct analysis and facilitate discussions to uncover what business needs mean for IT and, based on the business mandate, set out the IT strategy scope.

Key Benefits Achieved

An understanding of what business needs mean for IT. Additionally, the IT strategy scope sets out the coverage of the IT strategy.

Activities

Outputs

1.1

Review the business context.

Link between business capabilities/business initiatives and business goals

1.2

Review the link between business capabilities/business initiatives and business goals.

Link between business capabilities/business initiatives and business goals

1.3

Identify IT implications from the documented business context.

Implications on IT from the business context

1.4

Group the IT implications into themes from seven perspectives.

Implications on IT from the business context

1.5

Confirm the IT strategy scope.

IT strategy scope

Module 2: Define the IT Target State

The Purpose

Define statements, principles, goals, and target-state maturity to get a sense of where IT needs to go. Clearly understand where IT needs to go by defining the target-state IT capabilities.

Key Benefits Achieved

Identifies and documents, at a high level, IT’s target state. Additionally, the list of target-state capabilities defines in more detail and clarity how the target state will look.

Activities

Outputs

2.1

Create the IT vision and mission statements and identify IT guiding principles.

IT vision statement
IT mission statement
IT guiding principles

2.2

Define IT goals.

IT goals

2.3

Determine the IT goal alignment to business goals.

2.4

Indicate the target-state IT maturity.

2.5

Identify target-state IT capabilities.

Target-state IT capabilities

2.6

Consolidate target IT capability map.

Target-state IT capabilities

Module 3: Assess the IT Current State

The Purpose

Gauge where the IT organization currently stands to get a baseline so that gaps can be identified between the current and target states.

Key Benefits Achieved

Provides an assessment of the current state in terms of capabilities, planned initiatives, factors impacting IT, budget, and current-state maturity.

Activities

Outputs

3.1

Review diagnostic results.

Documented current IT capabilities and the gap to the target state

3.2

Assess current IT capabilities.

Documented current IT capabilities and the gap to the target state

3.3

Review current IT budget.

3.4

Conduct IT SWOT analysis.

IT SWOT analysis

3.5

Identify current-state maturity.

3.6

Assess the gaps between current- and target-state capabilities.

Overall IT capabilities gap analysis

Module 4: Bridge the Gap and Create the Strategy

The Purpose

Identify the gaps between the current and target states and brainstorm initiatives to address the gaps. Set out next steps to reach IT strategy approval.

Key Benefits Achieved

Identifies the projects needed to reach the target state from the current state.
Links how the projects support IT capabilities, IT goals, and the business context.

Activities

Outputs

4.1

Map key current IT initiatives to IT and business goals.

Documented relationship between IT goals, capabilities, and initiatives.

4.2

Brainstorm initiatives to address the gaps in capabilities.

List of new initiatives to reach the target state

4.3

Create initiative profiles.

IT initiative profiles

4.4

Prioritize IT initiatives.

IT strategy prioritization matrix

4.5

Create roadmaps for key IT initiatives.

IT strategy roadmaps

4.6

Identify required IT budget.

4.7

Summarize the highlights of the IT strategy.

After each Info-Tech experience, we ask our members to quantify the real time savings, monetary impact, and project improvements our research helped them achieve. See our top member experiences for this Blueprint, and what our clients have to say.

Client

Experience

Impact

$ Saved

Days Saved

Testimonial

Yamana Gold

Workshop

10/10

N/A

Psac

Workshop

9/10

$47,500

To better understand the impact and benefits to our organisation to implement structures to manage and approve all IT initiatives and to help make better and informed decisions.

Ansa McAl

Guided Implementation

9/10

N/A

The discussion helped in understanding that there are some foundation steps that are necessary.

British Film Institute

Guided Implementation

9/10

N/A

Childfund International

Workshop

10/10

$62,873

Best parts: team building, group synergy, getting things out of our brains and onto a consolidated list, being amazed at how the different pieces and parts came together to form a strategy. The facilitators were fabulous and worked well with our team. Worst parts: Being pulled in multiple directions during the 4 day workshop due to unforeseen emergencies and mandatory meetings. I was not the only one affected by this. Going off site and away from the action may be what we do next time.

Enerflex Ltd.

Guided Implementation

8/10

N/A

We have just started so it is hard to assess the value yet.

LogRhythm Inc.

Guided Implementation

8/10

N/A

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

Workshop

9/10

N/A

Zarraffas Coffee

Guided Implementation

9/10

$89,365

A very structured approach to defining an IT strategy!

Socan

Workshop

10/10

$10,000

Best: Facilitation of the sessions and interviews with the executives. Worst: Online Cobit sessions seemed non-beneficial since the results with the in-person Cobit sessions was drastically different.

Pascua Yaqui Tribe

Guided Implementation

10/10

N/A

The best part of the experience was the relevant and actionable information, along with the respective tools to properly lead and manage the department. The ongoing challenge for IT is proving the value to the organization, the advise was/is invaluable to continue moving the department in that direction (value vs. liability). Moreover, the tools and resources will assist in aligning the department with the organization's strategic goals.

Industry Training Authority

Guided Implementation

9/10

$25,000

Werner Co.

Workshop

9/10

$132K

Department of Education and Skills

Workshop

10/10

$36,080

The IT Strategy workshop was excellently facilitated by AC and Roberto.

Minnesota State and Technical College

Guided Implementation

9/10

$2,647

Great help, support, and advice. The only issue I had was that the solution(s) provided were a bit overkill for our small community college needs, and it was difficult to take the information and scale it back to fit the need.

Dataflux Pty. Ltd.

Guided Implementation

9/10

$5,294

Sport Maska Inc

Workshop

9/10

N/A

Overall a really good experience. The facilitators were very engaged and were very supportive. Allowed for collaboration and interactive amongst the team Everything day/component built on each other

Town of Taber

Guided Implementation

10/10

$2,000

Andy was great at providing tips and directions. He always added new tools for me to use. The project was much smother than I expected.

University of Prince Edward Island

Guided Implementation

8/10

N/A

Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona

Guided Implementation

10/10

$13,236

Great advice from personal experiences. Andy was able to answer all of my questions and provide some great direction.

Mohawk Council of Kahnawake

Workshop

9/10

$75,000

100

Staff was involved and participated fully. Final deck will have much more meaning to them. Seeming lack of leadership in survey and direct participation on day one has me wondering if all voices were heard that needed to be heard.

Hitchiner Manufacturing Company

Guided Implementation

10/10

$33,091

Andy is knowledgeable and thorough. He also has the patience of Job. I have been side-tracked repeatedly during the project and he has been consistently understanding. I look forward to working with Andy in the future.

Frostburg State University

Guided Implementation

10/10

$33,091

Andy was a pleasure to work with. I really enjoyed our conversations. He provided great insight and advice. My IT strategic plan is solid--largely due to his honest feedback and wonderful recommendations.

Truckee Meadows Water Authority

Workshop

10/10

$27,135

Inmarsat Solutions Canada

Workshop

10/10

N/A

Mueller, Inc.

Guided Implementation

9/10

N/A

It was very helpful to start talking through the first few steps in my work to create an IT strategy, based on experience with other clients and the Info-Tech way. The worst part was being walked through a sales pitch for a workshop almost immediately in the call, which briefly had me wondering what I had gotten myself into. I don't mind being offered options for services, but it seemed a little weird to have that being discussed first thing.

Champion Pet Foods

Workshop

8/10

N/A

Ottawa Community Housing Corporation

Workshop

9/10

N/A

Given the scope, it's tough to estimate the time and money saved, but the upfront investment in the areas emphasized would result in excellent improvements for our organization.

Ottawa Community Housing Corporation

Workshop

9/10

N/A

Given the scope, it's tough to estimate the time and money saved, but the upfront investment in the areas emphasized would result in excellent improvements for our organization.

United Counties of Leeds & Grenville

Guided Implementation

8/10

$10,000

This was an initial phone meeting so it is difficult to answer any of these questions until we get more details. Adib was attentive while listening to the details of situation and our request.